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As many of you know, I am breeding a "problem" mare. This mare of course just happens to be my favorite, and I would do anything to get her pregnant.

This brings me to my question, Immunall, any thoughts? The USA distributer is not far from me, and he owns one of the stallions I am breeding another mare to this year. He suggested it for the other mare, but I was wondering if it would be a good idea for this girl?

History: 5 live foals, last live one in 2001. Aborted at 150 days in 2002, did not conceive in the 2003 season, and it was decided that she was sterile. She was stressed, and just not the happiest horse where she was before. Now I have her, she is 18, just as calm as can be, healthy, and looks great. Did a biopsy when in February of this year, when she was in transtitional, IIB.

Her second heat cycle of the year, my two year old demonstrated his jumping talent, jumped the fence, and bred her (you bet he is on the opposite side of the property from all the mares now). I didn't really think to much of it, until I noticed she wasn't coming into heat... I mean, a said to be sterile mare, and a 2 year old colt, with a LC breeding! Turns out there was a viable pregnancy that we aborted using Lutalyse at 23 days.

She has a fair amount of fluid, but it is slowly decreasing for some reason or another. She will be caslicked (which I REALLY don't want to do, but whatever). I have heard that Immunall has helped mares like this, but has anybody had any first hand experiances, or thoughts on it?

There is no scientific evidence that shows that Immunal works. I personally prefer to use methods and products that have been proven under controlled test conditions. If Immunal is as good as some of the claims that are made for it, it shouldn't have any problem proving out in tests, but I've never seen any inclination anywhere for it to be tested in a scientific study. The problem with claims made in non-testing situations is that variables are not taken into account. A classic example of a product that has developed an unwarranted legendary snake-oil status is Regumate. Some people reach for it with a knee-jerk reaction when they hear certain items such as "old mare", and yet it is well-recognized by researchers that there is way too much used in situations where it is not warranted. FWIW, we use neither Regumate nor Immunal as a matter of routine (although we will use Regumate for specific problems such as a compromised cervix), and we have excellent pregnancy rates in older mares. We did have a group of older mares with fluid retention issues last year that we tested Immunal on, and saw no positive results.

You have a known issue - uterine fluid - so I would strongly recommend using a proven protocol. Use of ecbolics such as oxytocin is well-researched and shown to assist in clearing uterine fluid, so the use of an oxytocin protocol will be likely to assist (follow that link for the protocol).

Additionally, be aware that with a IIB uterus, your mare has only a 10-50% chance of carrying a foal to term. If fibrosis was present, then loss during the 30-90 day range is more likely, however, you may assist in reduction of the fibrosis by use of an intra-uterine lavage of DMSO. It might be worth talking to your vet about that. DMSO has a proven affinity for and ability to reverse fibrosis in some cases.

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